Gas stripping apparatus



March 18, 1958 K. E. Ris

GAS STRIPPING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 1'7, 1954 I VI.

INVENTOR Xme h B. Rw

@wif

ATTRZVEYS K. B. RIS

GAS STRIPPING APPARATUS March 18, 1958 2,827,267

Filed Sept. 17. l954 2 SheeS-Sheet 2 A INI/ENTOR.

nited States GAS STRIPPING APPARATUS Application September 17, 1954, Serial No. 456,736

Claims. (Cl. 257-231) The invention relates to apparatus and methods for stripping gases from liquids. More particularly the invention relates to heat exchanger apparatus for substantially instantaneously stripping gases or vapors absorbed or otherwise contained in liquids to separate such gases from the liquids, and to improved methods by which such a stripping operation may be carried out.

Many industrial processes involve an operation commonly called stripping by which vapors are separated from liquids by heating the vapor-containing liquid to release the vapors from the liquid. An example of the use of the stripping procedure is in the preparation of natural gas for introduction into pipe lines. Raw gas as it comes from a gas well may contain components, such as H2O, CO2 and H25, which undesirable gases should be removed before the natural gas enters pipe lines. In other words, the raw natural gas should be cleaned so that dry, sweet gas is supplied to distribution pipe lines. Similarly, such undesirable components as water vapor and acid gases (carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide) must be removed from petroleum rening residue gas before further use of such residue gas.

ln both instances, a treating procedure has been used in which the acid gases and water vapor are removed from the natural or residue gas by absorption in suitable mechanical agents and/or solvents. Such solvents may be triethanolamine, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, triethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. The lrst three are organic bases which form weak chemical combinations with acid gases at certain conditions of relatively low temperature and high pressure, which combinations are broken at higher temperatures and/ or lower pressures. The last three are hygroscopic agents whose capacity to absorb water vapor varies in similar fashion with temperature and pressure conditions. Since such solvents are relatively expensive, it is desired to strip the absorbed gases therefrom and to recycle the solvent to the absorption equipment. The stripping operation is carried out by heating the enriched or' contaminated solvent to release and remove the con tained water vapor and acid gases.

Heretofore the stripping operation has been carried out in equipment involving two units, namely, a reboiler and a distillation column or stripping tower. Heat is applied to the enriched solvent in a kettle type reboiler to vaporize the water and acid gases, and the vaporized water and acid gases are released by bubbling through the heated solvent in the low pressure distillation column.

The operation of such prior stripping equipment involves a number of disadvantages or difficulties. First of all, two pieces of equipment are required for conventional reboiler and stripper apparatus. Next, relatively high operating temperatures in the stripping equipment may result in higher operating temperatures in the absorption equipment which reduce the amount of vapor that can be absorbed by the solvent, thus requiring a larger amount of solvent in the entire cycling system. This not only increases the amount and cost of expensive solvent used ateiit fil) but also the cost of larger-sized equipment for handling and circulating the larger volume of solvent.

Next, the corrosive character of the contaminating gases causes considerable damage by corrosion to the reboilers and distillation columns, requiring frequent shutdowns for repairs, replacement and cleaning. Another corrosion-erosion problem arises from the vibration from ebullition in the conventional reboiler, which has caused severe damage in many instances.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a new heat exchanger stripper apparatus, which eliminates the two-unit conventional reboiler and separate distillation column, and enables the reboiling and stripping operations to be carried out at one time in a single vertical unit.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a new heat exchanger stripper apparatus in which the stripping process in a glycol amine treatment plant may be carried out at a lower temperature or higher pressure, or the most advantageous combination of temperature and pressure, whereby with lower temperatures in the stripper equipment, corresponding lower temperatures may be used in the absorption equipment and the solvent in the absorption equipment may absorb more vapors to be stripped, thus permitting a reduced amount of solvent in the cycling system of given capacity.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new heat exchanger stripper apparatus in which the undesired gases to be stripped from a solvent containing the Sme are released substantially instantaneously at relatively low temperature trom the solvent without bubbling the released vapors through a liquid body of the solvent as is the case in the use of conventional reboilers and distillation columns.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new heat exchanger stripper apparatus which releases undesired vapors from a solvent containing the same substantially instantaneously from a thin heated solvent film, thereby eliminating corrosion-erosion problems incident to vibration from ebullition and the severe damage heretofore caused thereby in conventional horizontal kettle type reboilers.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new heat exchanger stripper apparatus which minimizes damage by corrosion or wear of heat exchanger tubes supplying trie heat for stripping at the support plates for the tubes and other locations in the equipment.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new heat exchanger stripper apparatus by which heat is supplied to a thin solvent film in the apparatus for substantially instantaneous stripping of the contaminating gases therefrom so that such gases substantially immediately ash oli from the solvent.

Moreover, 1t is an object of the present invention to provide a new heat exchanger stripper apparatus in which the contaminating-gas-containing solvent is caused to ow in a thin film down along heat transfer surfaces so that the solvent is heated and the vapor released from the liquid lm substantially instantaneously.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new heat exchanger stripper apparatus having vertical heat exchanger tubes provided with longitudinally extending radial ns or flutes on which tubes and ns or flutes the contaminating-gas-containing solvent or liquid is uniformly distributed to iiow thin lms thereof downwardly along the tubes and ns or flutes where the gases or vapors can readily and quickly escape not only from the heated heat exchanger surfaces, but from the liquid solvent containing the same upon heating of the liquid solvent, thereby minimizing corrosion damage to the equipment resulting from the corrosive components of the vapors released from the solvent.

Yin Figs; 1,'2 and 3;'

Furthermore, it isan object" of the present invention to provide a new method of stripping gases from a liquid by which the gases are substantially. instantaneously released in vapor form from the liquid asV heated without bubbling through-a body of heated lliquidf' Furthermore; it is an objectl of the present invention; to

Aalonga heated heat transferlsurfacejso that" 'the liquid "is heatediand the vapor releasedffromthe 'quid' stantially'instantaneously; 1 t,

' 'l Finally,`itfis*anobject of the presentinvrllml i0, solve` the problems statedftto `eliminate"diiiculties' heretofore' encountered" iin lstripping V'gasesY from' "liquids in"c'on'v tional reboilers and distillationr'colunins, tog'errerally i prove ga'sstrippingV apparatus and procedure and' to 'obtain' theV foregoing-fadvantages'and `dv "devra ,a

tivean'd; simple manner: These and otherobjects and in the drawings, and which'areparticularly and 'distinctly V Y pointed out and set'forthl inthe-appended clainlsfform-V in?!1farther'eofi`-'I` c" :'lhen'atir'e of the discoveries and improvements in gas strippingfapparat'us ofi the present inventionmaybe'V statedlinagenerlf'termsfas 4preferablyincluding in a heat exchanger; vertical *heat eirchangerA tubes preferably"piro-fv vided iavithE longitudinally' extending radial tinsv or utes, means forffintiiorly"heating thev tubes; means for dis Vprovide anew methodro''stripping' gasesor vapors from 'Y VVliquids by owinggas-containing Vliquid i'n 'ajthi'nlilm in an lieg charging gas-cdnt'airingjliciuidto'the'upperfends ofthe exterior F'sur'faces lof-Av the 'tubesYV and fins,f^mean's for 'un'i`V forr`n1yf=distributing`fthef'dis'charged 'liquid onto'the tube and Viin surfaces to' cause the liquid to ow in a thin film and means for collectinggthe gases stripped from the' liquid.'Y 'M w -Y Y- The Vnature of the discoveries and improvementsV in gas stripping methods 'of the; present Viluientio'nfmayV be stated Y Vin'general.termsla's preferably lincluding the steps ofiflow'f ing-gascontainingY liquidf'lonto heat exchange'surfaces,A substantially uniformly'fdistribting,said' liquid on 'the surfaces-as owed thereongflowig-the Vliquid in athin iilmalongv the surfaces, heatinglthefthinlliquid llmV vas'it v Y howsA along the'.surfaces,'permittinggasescontainedV ,in`

the liquidc-vaporized by'isuch heatingjto escape from' vthe thin liquid film'and heated 'surfaessubstantially instantaneously, 'collecting the gas-free liquid, and separately collecting the gas stripped therefonlf i' i U By way of example; 'the'imprved apparatus of the Y present inventionis shown inthe accompanying draw-f6() ings forming part hereof, wherein: 'S ,Y i

Figure 1 isa longitudinali section through the proved gas stripping heat exchanger'apparatus;

Fig'. 2 is an enlargedsection looking in the direction ofthearrows2-2',Fig.'1;;Y 'i Fig. 3 isa fragmentary line -3,-3, Fig. 2; L

i Fig, 4 lis Ya further fragmentary sectional viewiiofcer- Y tainofftheparts showninFig;3; j'

` 1"ig,5r is a section looking rowsV Sf-S, Fig. .1;f Y v Figl fis'an-enlarged fragmentary sectional .view ofthe upper vend o f one of the the directionV of .the ar- Figt?. is lan Y enlarged lfragrnmxtary` sectional .view o the end portion o oneof the.heatexchangertubes;i

sectional. View rtaken on the heat Vexchanger tubes illustrated' downward'alon'grthe. tube and-n surfaces while beingl heated therebyfmean's forY collecting the stripped liquid, V`

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower end of the inner tubeof one of the heat exchanger tubes; and

Fig. 9 is Yanenlarged fragmentary sectional view of certain ofthe parts shown in Fig. 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the Y l various ligures of the drawings. i

VThe improved apparatusfand. method are described herein with particular'reference to stripping gases from a solvent in a glycol'amine treatment plant for the treatment Y of. natural. nametone ,beinglinrroducea imo, distribue; i

tion pipe lines, butuitl isfto bek understoodthat` the proved Vapparatus and method also may be usedffor many other` industrial processes wheregases areA tonbevstrlipped Y from" lir'iuiaszr' i The improved `apparatus is .indicated `generally at 1 and is essentially a heat exchanger having a stationary head i Y cover plate 2 provided with a plugged drain opening 3, and the plate 2 may form theibasre of the unit extend- "A shell generally/indicated VVat11 is connected togand 'd'7 theshell 11 Aiis-closed 'at 'its upper'endbyf'a shell cover.'A Y

f Vtubebundle,including aA plurality of tubes generally Y indicated 'at' I6f'x`t`eiidsverticallyV upward withinA the; ,shell ed in a usual manner with a preferably double grooveftube joint inanoperiing'in the stationary tube sheetfS, as indicated Vat 17,*'a`n`djn ekpa'nded ferrule 18r'nay be located,` withinv rheendfrfzch fu'e 1e at the mbe sheet joint; Thefuppei` end of'eachtubefl is closed by Van end plug, 19f(`1ig.v 6) and longitudinally 4extending fins 2,0 *projectVv radially from the'outerslLtrfaceof-eachV tube 16 fromthe l, upper-'"endfofl each tube-16 fdo'wnward for the greaterfpor- 'v tioirofy th'el'engthofthe tb Y16,'to a locationindieated,Y at '21 in Figli.' -lTlve tubesv `1'6 arefreeof /iisfrfrin th location 'Zlidownw'i'dfo `the"tationary tbe'she'et An inner; tube zzgpe'a'lifs upper' end, 'extends' lupwardwithin"ecli tube '16."f The tubesf`22rhaveasmallerl, outer diametertha'n' th'e`in`ne diameter of thehtubes' '161 andgthe upper ei`1d"off`eachy tube 22,(Fig. 6) is'inainf tain'edm'A proper? concentric' relation within the' tube by guiclevanesl 2,3 and '24; which also assist in guiding` theV inner tubes` 22 iiiv proper positiony when 'beiriginf i serted iii Vtubes 16 upon assembly of thfeuequipment'.iV "The,l lower ends Y. of each inner tube 22 (Fig. 8`) areV expanded 1n openings in theinner-tublejtube sheet 6, asindicatedat 25, an'egpandedrferrule 6 ,l being` provided for each innerv htjifzs( lllfbrli by', vm5115727, the @Per f L v V be welded to ,a support ring28 welded,rv at ,withinthe head:barrelji.` AV series of guide plates 3Q prov'ded l with apertures through, which ,the tubes .227- extend are bolted to theluppersurfaceof Y thev inner-tube sheet, 6at,31.; These gui-detplates. Slvfare used-onlyfforassemblypurposesib'y, sliding the` same along the tubes.. 22.as thef tubes 22are inserted .within ,thef tubes" i6l-t'o Yhold the 'tubesZrZfiri/ proper positionfror suchinsertion.-V` The guide plates srifrmyH aisdbs'used imite ferme" Vvmanner whenhe unit .1 is' disassembled -for repairs, tof` aser/,2er

maintain the tubes 22 properly spaced when withdrawn from the tubes 16.

A distribution band, or manifold, generally indicated at 32, surrounds the shell 11 adjacent the upper ends of the tubes 16 as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3. Similar distribution manifolds 32a and 32b having the same construction as the distribution manifold 32 surround the shell 11 at spaced intervals below the distribution band 32, as shown in Fig. l. Normally the manifolds 32a aud 32b are closed off by blind flanges 33 and are out of service. However, the additional manifolds 32a and 32b are provided to adapt the equipment for use in stripping various types of gases from various types of liquids and also to adapt the equipment for use with operations where substantial changes in the volume of liquid being treated may occur. Normally, one manifold only will be used and the particular one adapted for the particular conditions selected. However, under certain circumstances, it is possible that two or more of the manifolds 32, 32a or 32b may be in service at the same time.

Since the construction and use of each distribution manifold 32, 32a and 32b is the same, only the manifold 32 will be described in detail.

The manifold 32 is formed by an outer annular wall 33 surrounding and spaced from the shell 11, and upper and lower ring walls 34 and 35 preferably are welded to the walls 11 and 33 to form an annular distribution chamber 36 surrounding the shell 11. A shell inlet connection 37 communicates through the wall 33 with the distribution chamber 36. A shell outlet connection 38 is provided near the lower end of the shell 11 above the stationary tube sheet 5. The shell 11 (Figs. 2 and 3) is provided with a series of preferably elongated vertically extending apertures 39 at circumferentially spaced locations communicating with the upper annular portion of the distribution chamber 36 (Fig. 1). These apertures 39 are preferably equally spaced throughout the greater portion of the periphery of the shell as shown in Fig. 2, but no apertures are provided immediately opposite or adjacent the shell inlet connection 37, as shown.

A cup-shaped tray 40 is mounted within the shell 11 with its upper open end 41 located below the lower ends of the apertures 39 (Fig. 3) and the tray 40 is provided with a series of preferably cylindrical collars 42 extending upward from openings 43 in the tray bottom wall 44 through which openings the tubes 16 and fins 2l) thereon extend. Each collar 42 is preferably slightly larger in diameter, as shown in Fig. 2, than a circle circumscribing the outer edges of the ns 20 on tubes 16 so as to provide clearance between the outer edges of the ns 20 and the inner surfaces of the collars 42.

Tie rods 45 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) extend upward from the stationary tube sheet 5 to a location adjacent the upper closed ends of the tubes 16, and the tie rods are each surrounded with a series of spacer sleeves 46, 47, 4S, 49 and 50. A lower tube support ring 51 is mounted on the tie rods 45 and held in position between spacer sleeves 46 'and 47; the tray of distribution manifold 32b is mounted in position between spacer sleeves 47 and 48; the tray of distribution manifold 32a is mounted in position between spacer sleeves 43 and 49, and the tray 46 of distribution manifold 32 is mounted in position between spacer sleeves 49 and 5i). An upper tube support ring 52 is mounted on the upper ends Vof spacer sleeves 5G, and the upper ends of tie rods 45 are tensioned against tube support ring 52, thus holding the indicated shell member 11 and of tie rods 45 resulting in relative movement between the trays 40 and the shell 11 and between the trays 40, the tube support rings 51 and 52 and the tubes 16. Such relative movement is accommodated by the clearance between the tubes 16 and collars 42 on trays 40 and between the tubes 16 and the holes in support rings 51 and 52; and relative movement between the trays 40 and shell 11 is accommodated by the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

A tubular ring 53 of anti-friction flexible sealing material, such as Tellon, is mounted on the upper annular enge 4i of each tray member 4U by split internal clamping rings 54 and an outer clamping ring 5S bolted at 56 to the tray member rim 41. Although there is clearance indicated at 57 between the side walls of the tray member Lit) and the inner surface of shell 11, the outer annular surface 58 of sealing ring 53 provides a movable gasket seal between each tray 40 and the shell 11 permitting relative movement therebetween.

ln laccordance with the present invention, lthe upper edge of each collar 42 in each tray 4b is provided with a saw-tooth-like formation with upper points 59 and pointed valleys 6d therebetween. Thus, upwardly angled edges 61 extend upward and outward in a V-shaped manner from each valley 6d to the two adjacent points 59. The valleys 6u and edges 61 form a V-shaped weir, and one of these V-shaped weirs 6u-61 is located radially opposite each iin 2o of each tube 16, with the pointed valley 6i) in alignment with the center line of the lin 20 and with the pointed ridges 59 in radial alignment with the centers of the spaces between any iin and the next adjacent n on either side.

The inner-tube tube sheet 6 is provided with a suitable plugged drain 62, the stationary tube sheet 5 with a suitable plugged drain 63, the trays 4u with suitable plugged drains 64 (Fig. 2), and each manifold with suitable plugged drains 65 for draining the unit 1 when required; and a sight glass 66 may be mounted on the shell 11 for inspecting the surfaces ot' the tubes 16 when the unit is in operation. Suitable connections 67 also may be provided in the shell 11 for a liquid level gauge to ascertain the level of the liquid in the shell, indicated at 66 in Fig. l. Also, the shell 11 may be provided with a lifting lug 69 for use in assembling, lifting or locating the unit 1.

ln operation the gas stripper unit may be connected with suitable piping, pumps, etc. with an absorber tower in a glycol amine treatment plant. Steam is supplied to tube inlet 9 entering head inlet compartment 7 and passinf upward through inner tubes 22 to the open upper ends thereof and then down around the tubes 22 within tubes 16 to head outlet compartment 8 where condensate collects and is discharged from the unit 1 through tube `outlet 10. Thus, heat is supplied to `the tubes 16 and the ns 2t) thereof.

The solvent liquid containing contaminating gases such as H2O, CO2 and H28 to be stripped therefrom ows from the absorber tower into the shell inlet 37 and into distribution compartment 36. The solvent liquid then ilows through apertures 39 and into tray 40, substantially even distribution of the solvent liquid into the tray 40 being provided by the spacing of the apertures 39 shown in Fig. 2, relative to the shell inlet 37.

The solvent liquid then fills up in tray 4G to a liquid level substantially level with the points 59 of the sawtooth upper edges of sleeves 42 and spills over or flows over the V-weir notches 611-61. The shape of the V- Weir notches 69 and 61 is such that the liquid overlows in thin sheets or streams from all edges 61 against the opposite surfaces of the adjacent tube ns 2li, thereby supplying each tube iin 2t) with a thin lm of liquid on both surfaces thereof, with substantially uniform distribution to all fins 2l) and tubes 16. The liquid then flows down the surfaces of the tubes 16 and tins 20 by gravity in a thin, evenly distributed lm throughout, and nally coilects in the bottom of the shell above the stationary tube from the liquid film, and the vapor passes upward through the shell to the vapor outlet.

3. Gas stripping apparatus including a vertical heat exchanger shell, a tube sheet at one end of the shell, a head member connected to the tube sheet, vertically arranged heat exchanger tubes connected wit'h the tube sheet and extending upwardly in the shell, each tube having a series of longitudinally extending radially projecting spaced tins mounted on an outer surface thereof, said fins having spaced outer edges, means for circulating a heating medium through the head member and the interior of the tubes, tray means within the shell surrounding upper portions of the tubes intermediate the ends of the fins, the tray means including an upstanding collar member surrounding each tube spaced from the n outer edges and extending axially of said tube, the tray means extending radially outwardly from the tubes and contacting the shell, shell inlet means including manifold means surrounding the shell, said shell having a series of circumferentially spaced apertures formed therein communicating between the manifold means and tray means, a shell outlet communicating with the shell adjacent the lower ends of said tubes, a vapor outlet communicating with the shell at the upper ends of said tubes, weir means formed in each of the collar members having liquid directing portions radially aligned with each of the n outer edges for flowing liquids supplied to the tray means through said shell inlet means substantially uniformly onto the .outer edges and surfaces of the fins with said weir means constituting the sole means for owing liquids to said fins and tubes, and gases released from the liquids being free of radial restriction by the ns; whereby as the liquid film flows downwardly `along the outer surfaces of the ns and tubes to the shell outlet, gases absorbed therein are vaporized and released from the liquid lm, and the vapor passes upward through the shell to the vapor outlet.

4. Gas stripping apparatus including a Vertical heat exchanger shell, a tube sheet at one end of the shell, a head member connected to the tube sheet, vertically arranged heat exchanger tubes connected with the tube sheet and extending upwardly in the shell, each tube having a series of-longitudinally extending radially projecting spaced ns mounted on an outer surface thereof, said tins having spaced `outer edges, means for circulating a heating medium through the head member and the interior of the tubes, tray means within the shell surrounding upper portions of the tubes intermediate the ends of the tins, the tray means including an upstanding collar member surrounding each tube spaced from the fin outer edges and extending axially of said tube, said collar members having upper extremities, shell inlet means communicating with said tray means, a shell outlet communicating with the shell adjacent the lower ends of said tubes, a vapor outlet communicating With the shell at the upper ends of said tubes, the upper extremities of the collar members having saw-tooth-like formations formed therein having V-shaped valleys, the point of each V-shaped valley being located in radial alignment with a tube iin outer edge for owing liquids supplied to the tray means through said shell inlet means substantially uniformly onto the outer edges and surfaces of the ns with said saw-tooth-like formations constituting the sole means for owing liquids to said tins and tubes,and gases released from the liquids being free of radial restriction by the fins; whereby as the liquid film flows downwardly along the outer surfaces of the lins and tubes to the shell outlet, gases absorbed therein are vaporized and released from the liquid film, and the Vapor pas-ses upward through the shell to the Vapor outlet.

5. Gas stripping apparatus including a vertical heat exchanger shell, a tube sheet at one end of the shell, a head member connected to the tube sheet, vertically arranged heat exchanger tubes connected with the tube sheet and extending upwardly in the shell, each tube having a series of longitudinally extending radially projecting spaced fins mounted on an outer surface thereof, said tins having spaced 4outer edges, means for circulating a heating medium through the head member and the interior of the tubes, tray means within the shell surrounding upper portions of the tubes intermediate the ends of the ns, the tray means including an upstanding collar member surrounding each tube spaced from the lin outer edges `and extending axially of said tube, tube support members within the shell maintaining the vertically arranged heat exchanger tubes in predetermined spaced relation, said tube support members being vertically spaced from the tube sheet and tray means, vertically extending tie rods tensioned between at least one of the support members and the tube sheet maintaining the support members and tray means and tube sheet properly assembled, spacer sleeves surrounding the tie rods compressed between the support members and tray means yand tube sheet for maintaining said members and means and sheet in proper spaced relation, shell inlet means communicating with said tray means, a shell `outlet communicating with the shell adjacent the lower ends of said tubes, a vapor outlet communicating with the shell at the upper ends of said tubes, Weir means formed in each of the collar members having liquid directing portions radially aligned with each of the iin outer edges for owing liquids supplied to the tray means through said shell inlet means substantially uniformly onto the outer edges and surfaces of the us with said Weir means constituting the sole means for owing liquids to said fins and tubes, and gases released from the liquids being free of radial restriction by the tins; whereby as the liquid film flows downwardly along the outer surfaces of the fins and tubes to the shell outlet, gases absorbed therein are vaporized and released from the liquid film, and the vapor passes upward through the shell'to the vapor outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,152,266 McNeal Mar. 28, 1939 2,545,651 Cummings Mar. 20, 1951 2,589,262 Keith Mar. 18, 1952 2,649,285 Brown Aug. 18, 1953 2,751,199 Williams lune 19, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 279,526 Great Britain ocr. 31, 1927 588,214 Great Britain May 16, 1947 

